The draw on Friday has set the schedule for the matches between the Czech Republic and Romania in Ostrava, on February 9-10.
Mihaela Buzarnescu, 29th WTA, opens the confrontation against Karolina Pliskova, 5th WTA at 14.00h Bucharest time. The second match is between Katerina Siniakova, 1st WTA in the doubles, and Simona Halep, 3rd WTA.
On Sunday, as of 14.00h: Karolina Pliskova vs. Simona Halep and Katerina Siniakova vs. Mihaela Buzărnescu.
The doubles match: Barbora Krejcikova/Katerina Siniakova vs. Irina Begu/Monica Niculescu.
Romania’s Fed Cup team includes Simona Halep (3rd WTA), Mihaela Buzărnescu (29th WTA), Irina Camelia Begu (75th WTA), Ana Bogdan (105th WTA) and Monica Niculescu (106th WTA).
The Czech Republic team includes: Karolina Pliskova (5th WTA), Katerina Siniakova (1st WTA in the doubles), Barbora Krejcikova (2nd WTA in the doubles) and Marketa Vondrousova (72nd WTA).
Czech Republic won both matches against Romania in Fed Cup in 1980 in West Berlin (2-1) and in 2016 in Cluj-Napoca (3-2).
The matches take place on Ostrava Arena with a capacity of 6,350 seats.
Romanian tennis player Simona Halep said on Friday, during a press conference in Ostrava, that three years ago Romania was close to defeat Czech Republic, but this time it has an additional chance.
“For me it is important we have a good result in the Fed Cup. It is a great target. It’s not easy as we are not used to play as a team. But I hope to be OK, to do my job on the court, to support the team and to win the confrontation with the Czech Republic. In 2016 we’ve been very close to win, now we have an additional chance,” Halep said.
She added that the team has a good spirit and the players are more united, more mature.
“I hope this time we win,” Halep added.
photo: Romanian Tennis Federation